In our ever-evolving job market, businesses frequently find themselves seeking skilled workers from across the globe. Canada, known for its inclusive policies, offers a straightforward process that allows you to hire a temporary foreign worker to fill your staffing gaps.
If you’re a Canadian employer looking to explore this option, this short guide will walk you through the details of hiring foreigners on a short-term basis.
Hire a Temporary Foreign Worker in Canada: Understanding the Basics
If you want to hire a temporary foreign worker in the Great White North, the Canadian Government has introduced an inclusive initiative to facilitate the process.
This initiative is known as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
The TFWP provides you with the opportunity to temporarily engage foreign individuals to address gaps in Canada’s workforce. Additionally, it ensures that foreign workers are treated right and benefit from a fair employment experience.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) work together to manage the TFWP.
Under the TFWP, you can tap into different streams as per your needs. Let’s explore these streams into more detail.
What Are the Different Streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)?
The TFWP enables you to hire a temporary foreign worker through the following streams:
High-wage positions
This stream is for employers who wish to pay temporary foreign workers at or above the median hourly wage of their province or territory. It applies for a wide range of positions.
Low-wage positions
If you wish to pay temporary foreign workers less than the median hourly wage of your province or territory, you should apply through this stream. The low-wage stream covers a wide range of job positions.
Global talent stream
The Global Talent Stream (GTS) kicked off in June 2017 as a two-year pilot, thanks to a collaboration between IRCC and ESDC. It’s a handy tool for Canadian employers to swiftly bring in top-notch international talent, giving them a competitive edge on the global stage through the Global Skills Strategy.
Agricultural workers
To qualify for this stream, you must meet the following criteria:
- Production in designated commodity sectors on Canada’s national list
- Activity linked to on-farm primary agriculture under specific National Occupation Classification (NOC) Codes: 80020, 80021, 21112, 82031, 84120, 85103, and 85101
Meeting these requirements allows you to hire temporary foreign workers through the TFWP Agricultural Stream. Alternatively, you may be able to hire through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).
In-home caregivers
Families seeking assistance for older people, children, or individuals with medical needs can explore this stream. Positions must align with specific criteria, like caregiving for children (NOC Code 44100) or those with medical needs (NOC 31301, 32101, or 44101).
Foreign academics
Bringing in foreign academics to work in post-secondary institutions is a great way to enhance Canada’s education standards. This also positions Canadian institutions on the global academic research map. To support this, IRCC and ESDC have established various procedures to streamline the process of hiring foreign academics in Canada.
Navigating the Application Process
For most temporary foreign workers, obtaining a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a critical step. This assessment evaluates the potential impact of employing a foreign worker on the Canadian labor market.
An LMIA ensures that, when you hire a temporary foreign worker, you will not adversely affect job opportunities for local workers.
To apply for an LMIA, you must submit detailed information about the job vacancy, including duties, wages, and benefits offered. So keep in mind that obtaining a positive LMIA is a prerequisite for most temporary foreign worker applications.
For more in-depth insights into the hiring process for foreign workers in Canada, we’ve crafted a comprehensive guide just for you. The guide includes valuable information on how to obtain a positive LMIA and other essential details.
Dive in to gain a deeper understanding of the process of bringing international talent to your Canadian workforce.
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